Near St. Paul, Nebraska, camping options range from basic facilities at North Loup State Recreation Area to full-service campgrounds with concrete pads and hookups in nearby towns. Most camping areas lie along the Loup River watershed at elevations between 1,800-2,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach 85-90°F with cooler nights around 65°F, making spring and fall popular camping seasons.
What to do
Fishing at multiple ponds: Davis Creek Dam Campground and Bader Memorial Park offer varied fishing opportunities. "There are 4 ponds and the river is a short trail hike away," notes a visitor to Bader Memorial Park.
Disc golf courses: Buckley Park Campground features an 18-hole disc golf course among other recreational facilities. "They have an 18 hole disc golf, tennis, volleyball, basketball, pool, and 3 playgrounds. They have really put a lot of work in this park," according to a camper at Buckley Park Campground.
Biking trails: Fort Kearny State Recreation Area connects to regional bike trails. "There's a bike trail that goes to the Fort at the historical park," mentions one camper at Fort Kearny State Recreation Area.
What campers like
Concrete pads at multiple sites: Level, concrete sites make setup easier at several campgrounds. "All sites were concrete pads which is nice. Hook ups were easy to reach without needing to add lengths of hose or cord," reports a camper at Kearney RV Park.
Shade availability: Trees provide welcome relief during hot Nebraska summers. "My campsite has a tree on each side. Even though not very big sites, it is shaded, level, concrete, water, electric," notes a visitor at Firefly Meadows.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers are consistently mentioned in positive reviews. "Very nice campground with a playground, bathroom, and pavilion. There are limited spots for camping, but we arrived around 6 pm and had no issue snagging a spot," writes a visitor to Buckley Park Campground.
What you should know
State park permit requirements: Some recreation areas require daily vehicle permits. "In addition to the camping fee ($25 for elec only) there is a $14/day fee to drive into the recreation area," explains a camper at Fort Kearny State Recreation Area.
Limited stays at some parks: Check campground policies before planning extended stays. "Note that it is a 4 day Max and you have to leave for 10 days before you can come back," advises a camper at Buckley Park Campground.
Highway noise considerations: Several campgrounds near I-80 experience road noise. "Being right next to the highway very bad road noise. Had to turn the fan on high to drown it out. Other than that, this is a great campground," mentions a reviewer at Kearney RV Park & Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Paddle boat access: Free paddle boats are available at certain locations. "There was a nice little beach areas. Plenty of room to walk the dog. And the dog park is big enough for the dog to run & play in," shares a visitor to Kearney RV Park & Campground.
Swimming areas: Several parks feature designated swimming areas. "The tent sites are a mix on being right in the middle of everything or far away. If you stay at K,M,N you will have a nice quiet stay," notes a visitor to Bader Memorial Park.
Playground facilities: Multiple campgrounds offer play equipment. "The park is very nice lots of little ponds and a small lake for swimming, large beach with nets for volleyball and a play ground," reports a camper at Prairie Oasis Campground & Cabins.
Tips from RVers
Easy pull-through sites: Many rv sites near St. Paul, Nebraska feature pull-through access. "We rolled in and didn't even need to unhook. Level site, quiet (except for the interstate), easy breezy check in, clean, and easy out," mentions one RVer at Kearney RV Park.
Winter camping limitations: While some campgrounds remain open year-round, facilities may be reduced. "You can camp there off season. Some of the sites are on the river," notes a visitor to Fort Kearny State Recreation Area.
Water fill locations: RV water access points are typically centralized rather than at individual sites. "The tent sites are a mix on being right in the middle of everything or far away," explains a camper at Bader Memorial Park.
